The Role of Nasal Mucus in Upper Airways Function

2005 ◽  
pp. 19-58
Author(s):  
Robert Henkin ◽  
Amy Doherty ◽  
Brian Martin
Keyword(s):  
Upper Airways ◽  
Nasal Mucus

scholarly journals The Microbiota/Host Immune System Interaction in the Nose to Protect from COVID-19

Life ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 345
Author(s):  
Arianna Di Stadio ◽  
Claudio Costantini ◽  
Giorgia Renga ◽  
Marilena Pariano ◽  
Giampietro Ricci ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Viral Entry ◽  
Upper Airway ◽  
Organ Damage ◽  
Host Immune System ◽  
Upper Airways ◽  
Mucosal Homeostasis ◽  
Resistance To Infection ◽  
Variable Clinical Presentation

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and is characterized by variable clinical presentation that ranges from asymptomatic to fatal multi-organ damage. The site of entry and the response of the host to the infection affect the outcomes. The role of the upper airways and the nasal barrier in the prevention of infection is increasingly being recognized. Besides the epithelial lining and the local immune system, the upper airways harbor a community of microorganisms, or microbiota, that takes an active part in mucosal homeostasis and in resistance to infection. However, the role of the upper airway microbiota in COVID-19 is not yet completely understood and likely goes beyond protection from viral entry to include the regulation of the immune response to the infection. Herein, we discuss the hypothesis that restoring endogenous barriers and anti-inflammatory pathways that are defective in COVID-19 patients might represent a valid strategy to reduce infectivity and ameliorate clinical symptomatology.

The Role of Leukotrienes in Nasal Allergy

2003 ◽  
Vol 129 (3) ◽  
pp. 274-279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilknur Haberal ◽  
Jacquelynne P. Corey
Keyword(s):  
Allergic Rhinitis ◽  
Work Performance ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Nasal Congestion ◽  
Comorbid Condition ◽  
Nasal Allergy ◽  
Upper Airways ◽  
School Work ◽  
Asthma Patients

OBJECTIVE: This review focuses on the role of cysteinyl leukotrienes (cysLTs) in nasal allergy. The purpose was to provide knowledge of the role of cysLTs in the pathophysiology of nasal allergy and the role of antileukotrienes in the treatment of nasal allergies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a literature review. RESULTS: The proinflammatory effects of cysLTs have been well described in asthma. Antileukotrienes have proved to be an effective anti-inflammatory treatment for asthma patients. Similar to pathogenesis of asthma, cysLTs exert potent inflammatory effects in the upper airways and play a role in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis and other nasal allergies. CONCLUSION: Antileukotriene treatment appears to be beneficial in nasal allergies. Allergic rhinitis is a complex, IgE-mediated inflammatory disease of the upper airways. It is the most common allergic disease, occurring in 10% to 30% of adults and up to 30% of children. It may be perennial or seasonal. Sneezing, itching, watery rhinorrhea, and nasal obstruction are classic symptoms. It may impair cognition, school/work performance and productivity, behavior, mood, and quality of life. On physical examination, clear secretions, nasal congestion, pink-bluish nasal mucosa, the allergic salute, and allergic shiners may be detected. Allergic rhinitis is a common comorbid condition with asthma, sinusitis, otitis media, nasal polyposis, and respiratory infections.

The undisclosed role of disturbed sleep and hypoxia on metabolism: the importance of upper airways pathology

2012 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Desiderio Passàli ◽  
Patrizio Tatti ◽  
Francesco Maria Passàli ◽  
Luisa Bellussi
Keyword(s):  
Upper Airways ◽  
Disturbed Sleep

scholarly journals The (potential) role of apolipoproteins in nasal mucus of allergic rhinitis patients

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (S2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Tomazic ◽  
Ruth Birner-Grünberger ◽  
Obrist Britta ◽  
Stefan Spörk ◽  
Anita Leitner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Allergic Rhinitis ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Nasal Mucus

scholarly journals The role of trigeminal nasal TRPM8-expressing afferent neurons in the antitussive effects of menthol

2013 ◽  
Vol 115 (2) ◽  
pp. 268-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Plevkova ◽  
M. Kollarik ◽  
I. Poliacek ◽  
M. Brozmanova ◽  
L. Surdenikova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Citric Acid ◽  
Guinea Pigs ◽  
Upper Airway ◽  
Afferent Neurons ◽  
Tracheal Mucosa ◽  
Upper Airways ◽  
Cold Temperatures ◽  
Cold Sensitive ◽  
Lower Airways

The cold-sensitive cation channel TRPM8 is a target for menthol, which is used routinely as a cough suppressant and as an additive to tobacco and food products. Given that cold temperatures and menthol activate neurons through gating of TRPM8, it is unclear how menthol actively suppresses cough. In this study we describe the antitussive effects of (−)-menthol in conscious and anesthetized guinea pigs. In anesthetized guinea pigs, cough evoked by citric acid applied topically to the tracheal mucosa was suppressed by menthol only when it was selectively administered as vapors to the upper airways. Menthol applied topically to the tracheal mucosa prior to and during citric acid application or administered continuously as vapors or as an aerosol to the lower airways was without effect on cough. These actions of upper airway menthol treatment were mimicked by cold air delivered to the upper airways but not by (+)-menthol, the inactive isomer of menthol, or by the TRPM8/TRPA1 agonist icilin administered directly to the trachea. Subsequent molecular analyses confirmed the expression of TRPM8 in a subset of nasal trigeminal afferent neurons that do not coincidently express TRPA1 or TRPV1. We conclude that menthol suppresses cough evoked in the lower airways primarily through a reflex initiated from the nose.

scholarly journals A rare cause of stridor: Isolated tracheal amyloidosis

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 273-275
Author(s):  
Numbere K Numbere ◽  
Jamal Grayez
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Present Report ◽  
Extensive Investigation ◽  
Computed Tomography Imaging ◽  
Upper Airways ◽  
Exertional Dyspnea ◽  
Tomography Imaging ◽  
Luminal Narrowing ◽  
History Of

A 50-year-old man presented to clinic with a two-year history of progressive exertional dyspnea and voice hoarseness. This history suggested upper airways obstruction, which was confirmed on computed tomography imaging that revealed extensive thickening of the proximal tracheal wall causing severe luminal narrowing. Bronchoscopic debulking was then performed and the samples obtained confirmed tracheal amyloidoisis. Extensive investigation confirmed that disease was localized solely to the trachea. Ultimately, after multiple discussions, the chosen treatment modality was radiotherapy, which proceeded relatively uneventfully and achieved excellent radiological and clinical response. Although tracheal amyloidosis is rare, it is most commonly observed as part of a multisystem presentation. The present report describes the even more uncommon diagnosis of isolated tracheal amyloidosis and highlights the role of radiotherapy in its management.

External mechanical loading in conscious humans: role of upper airway mechanoreceptors

1988 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
pp. 541-548 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. E. O'Donnell ◽  
R. Sanii ◽  
M. Younes
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Loading ◽  
Upper Airway ◽  
Random Order ◽  
Positive Pressure ◽  
Upper Airways ◽  
Ventilatory Responses ◽  
Resistive Loading ◽  
Elastic Loading ◽  
Pressure Changes

To determine whether upper airway mechanoreceptors partly subserve the ventilatory response to external mechanical loading in conscious humans, we studied 11 laryngectomized subjects. The oropharynx (OP) or tracheostomy was selectively loaded (in random order) by attaching the mouth or tracheal tube to a special pressure-generating apparatus, and steady-state ventilatory responses were recorded. Phasic negative pressure changes generated at the OP to simulate inspiratory resistive loading, expiratory resistive unloading, and elastic loading resulted in trivial prolongation of inspiratory duration by 12, 9, and 4%, respectively; other ventilatory variables were not significantly altered. Phasic positive pressure changes at the OP that simulated inspiratory resistive unloading and expiratory resistive loading had little effect on breathing pattern. When the above loads were applied via the tracheostomy, using pressures of similar magnitude, ventilatory responses were qualitatively similar and quantitatively not significantly different from those of normal healthy controls. The results suggest that the OP does not make an important contribution to ventilatory responses during external mechanical loading in conscious humans. Loading responses to conventional mechanical loads are preserved in the absence of afferent information from the upper airways.

Role of vagus nerve on upper airways-induced bronchoconstriction

Lung ◽  
1976 ◽  
Vol 154 (1) ◽  
pp. 125-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Curschmann ◽  
I. Zimmermann ◽  
J. Kowalski ◽  
W. T. Ulmer
Keyword(s):  
Vagus Nerve ◽  
Upper Airways
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